First hearing on slots proposal April 8

The public will get its first formal opportunity to weigh in on a slots parlor proposed for the vacant Wyman-Gordon property off Kelley Square at a hearing April 8.

The City Council Public Safety and Economic Development committees will hold the joint meeting to disseminate information about the slots proposal and receive public testimony, according to committee co-chairmen, District 5 Councilor William J. Eddy and Councilor-at-Large Frederick C. Rushton.

The hearing will be at 6:30 p.m. at the Worcester Hibernian Cultural Centre, 19 Temple St.

The councilors said the only item on the agenda is the proposal that has been put forth by Mass Gaming & Entertainment LLC for the Wyman-Gordon property.

“While we welcome all testimony, we would like to clarify that the joint committee is not meeting to deliberate or debate the issue of gaming,” Mr. Eddy and Mr. Rushton said in a joint statement.

“The voters of Worcester — not the City Council — will ultimately decide the issue of gaming in Worcester,” they added. “Rather, we are meeting, and encourage public participation, toward the purpose of working with the mayor and city manager to craft the strongest possible host agreement that we may put forth before the voters so that they may make an informed decision on this important matter.”

Other members of the joint committee are: Councilor-at-Large Michael J. Germain and District 2 Councilor Philip P. Palmieri, who serve on the council’s Public Safety Committee whose chairman is Mr. Eddy, and Councilor-at-Large Joseph C. O’Brien and District 3 Councilor George J. Russell, who serve on the Economic Development Committee chaired by Mr. Rushton.

Earlier this week, the group that wants to develop a slots parlor in the city officially designated the 14-acre Wyman-Gordon property on Madison Street as the location for its “destination gaming facility.”

Mass Gaming & Entertainment LLC is one of four applicants for the only slots license that will be awarded by the state.

The $200 million plan also calls for development of a full-service hotel in the downtown area.

Mr. Rushton said he is looking forward to beginning the public hearing process and hearing what the public thinks about it.

He said he anticipates a good turnout for the first meeting because the slots proposal is something unrivaled when it comes to its potential impact.

“It’s time to get the ball rolling by listening to the public,” Mr. Rushton said. “We need to come out with the best possible host agreement and the public will be an integral part of it.”

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission, which will award the slots parlor license, requires a local “host agreement” between the city and the gaming entity.

The host-community agreement would include measures to mitigate any impacts there might be to the surrounding neighborhood where the slot parlor is built and in the city as a whole.

“Whether we love or hate gaming as individuals, our task as city councilors is to provide the city manager with guidance and input on crafting the best possible host agreement for this city and its people,” Mr. Rushton said. “The voters will have the ultimate final say when they can vote the community host agreement up or down. Before we get to that point, we need to hear from the public, and we encourage public participation to help shape the community host agreement.”